All Recreation Sites Vehicle Ticket for Mount Goliath, Summit Lake Park & Summit Interp. Area

Mount Blue Sky Recreation Area Timed Tickets

Provides access for one private vehicle and motorcycles to access Mount Blue Sky and all developed recreation sites. (Mount Goliath, Summit Lake Park, and the Summit Interpretive Area) see below for additional information.  

Mount Goliath is a peak on the shoulders of Mount Blue Sky. The Mount Goliath Research Natural Area contains 160 acres set aside for the protection, study, interpretation and enjoyment of the Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine. Stop and visit the gardens, Dos Chappell Nature Center and hike through the bristlecone pine. The building, exhibits, and grounds are the result of a cooperative effort between the Denver Botanic Gardens, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and the U.S. Forest Service. For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recarea/?recid=28418 

For information on the exploration with a Denver Botanic Gardens docent https://www.botanicgardens.org/other-locations/mount-goliath 

Summit Lake Park is at 12,840 feet and offers incredible opportunities to explore the alpine tundra and an accessible trail offers a short hike to the Chicago Lakes Overlook.

If you are arriving at Summit Lake prior to 8:00AM and are parked in the fee area you are required to display your reservation for the 8AM entry time.

If the 8AM entry time is sold out, please do not buy the 10AM reservation and enter prior to 10AM. In this case you need to enter between 10-12PM.

For more information about Summit Lake Park https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-parks-and-recreation/parks/mountain-parks/summit-lake-park.html 

Map of Summit Lake Park https://www.denvergov.org/content/dam/denvergov/Portals/747/documents/ParkArt/SummitLake_ParkMap.pdf 

Next drive to the Summit Interpretive Area also referred to "The Top" to experience the high altitude air at 14,130 feet and then hike up to the summit of Mount Blue Sky. There are three significant structures at “The Top,” two of which are historic: the ruins of the Crest House, the High Altitude Lab and the Meyer-Womble Observatory.

For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=28452&actid=64 or call the Forest Service Information Delivery Hub at 970-295-6600

Mount Blue Sky History visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5369984 

The average time spent along the Scenic Drive is 2-3 hours.   

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